Welding rod holder



Sept. 7,, 1948. A. w. MccLARY WELDING ROD HOLDER Filed June 28, 1946 INVENTOR A PCH/E W. M CLA RY ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELDING ROD HOLDER Archie W. McClary, Oakland, Calif.

Application June 28, 1946, Serial No. 679,935

My invention relates to a Welding electrode holder and more particularly to those of the type employing pivoted arms.

Among the objects of my invention are:

1. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder of simple construction and low manufacturing costs;

2. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder having an adjustable grip so as to permit positiv gripping of welding rods or electrodes of different diameters and to compensate for wear of the rod holding jaws;

8. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder utilizing a compound lever system for achieving a positive gripping action under the control of a small force;

4. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder which is well insulated electrically;

5. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder which is provided with a high degree of heat insulation and which is well ventilated;

6. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder which is compact and has a minimum number of projecting parts; and

7. To provide a novel and improved electrode holder which is safe and easy to handle.

Additional objects of my invention will be brought out in the following description of the preferred embodiment of the same, taken in conjunction with the accompanied drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal view in elevation of a preferred embodiment of my improved electrode holder with insulation covering installed thereon;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the covered electrode holder illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged longitudinal view in elevation of the electrode end of the holder of Fig. 1, shown with the insulation removed and with the jaws thereof in open position;

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to that of Fig; 3, showing the jaws gripping an electrode; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated an electrode holder embodying the features of the present invention and comprising two mutually pivoted working arms 2 and 4 having jaws 8 and 8 on one side of the pivot 10 and a suitably insulated control arm [2 cooperating therewith and an electrical connector 14 .at the other side of the pivot point Ill. The electrical connector I4 and the portion of the working arm 5 Claims. (Cl. 219-8) 12 on the side of the pivot point adjacent to the electrode connector M are enclosed by a tubular handle I 6 composed of insulating material. The portions of the working arms 2 and 4 adjacent to and exterior to the jaws 6 and 8 are enclosed by shields l8 and 20 composed of electrical insulating and high heat-resistant material.

The entire electrode holder construction possesses a simple cylindrical appearance having only a single projecting part, namely, the control arm 12 which is used for manipulating the working arm 4 with respect to working arm 2. In order to simplify the description, the electrode holder will be described in more detail hereinbelow as if the length thereof were horizontally disposed and the two working arms were disposed one above the other.

The lower working arm 2 is of generally fiat, rigid construction having a pivot crown 22 intermediate the ends thereof. On one side of the crown 22 there is the lower jaw 6, which is provided with two rows of teeth 24 defined by a plurality of transverse notches 25 and separated by a longitudinal channel 26 to facilitate the positioning and gripping of an electrode between the jaws.

On the opposite side of the pivot crown 22, the lower working arm terminates in the electrical connector 14 which is provided with an end bore 28 for the reception of a cable (not shown) which will preferably be soldered or, otherwise aifixed therein.

A plurality of longitudinal ribs 30 peripherally distributed about the connector, provide supports for the handle I6 and cooperate therewith to define ventilating passages permitting circulation of air through the handle. Perforations 3! in the handle at this point aid such ventilation.

The upper working arm 4 is loosely supported on the pivot crown ill by means of an adjusting screw 34 extending through an oversize hole therethrough and threadedly engaging the pivot crown of the lower working arm 2. Said upper arm is in the form of a relatively still" leaf spring of steel or other suitable metal. The portion opposing the jaw 6 of the lower working arm 2 defines the second jaw 8 which cooperates therewith to grip a welding electrode ll. This upper jaw is preferably reinforced by means of a fiat strip 36 of metal welded thereon throughout its length to impart additional stiifness thereto while the remainin portion of the upper working arm remains relatively less stiff by comparison. Such jaws.

remaining portion is slit to form a fork having two tynes 31, spaced by a slot 38.

The control arm l2 is pivotally supported between a pair of bosses 39 on the lower working arm 2 adjacent the connector for movement between the tynes 31, and carries a transverse pin 4!) adapted to bear against the under surface of such tynes during upward movement of the control arm, from a lower position in which the pin rests in a'transverse groove 42 inthe lower working arm out of contact with the tynes. Thus in the lower position of the control arm I2, the upper working arm is in a relaxed condition and free to admit of the positioning of an electrode between the holder jaws. In its upward movement, the upper jaw will be resiliently rpresse'd in clamping engagement against the electrode, and by swinging the control arm beyond dead center, a toggle action is eliected whereby tolock the control arm in its clamping position.

A slot 58 inthe-end of the handle it adjacent the control arm ofiers complete freedom for such function-a1 movements of the control arm, at the same time permitting such control arm to come to rest in its locking position within thumb actuating distance of the operators hand whichgrips the holder, whereby finger tipcontrol in therelease of the control arm may be realized.

Because of the fact that the control arm l2 operates on the working arms 2 and Aat a point remote from thepivot Ill, and the transverse pin 49 is only slightly spaced-fromthe 'fulcrum point of the control arm itself-a high mechanicaladvantage is achieved which greatly minimizes the eifort 'necessary to adjust-the control arm-to its locking position or to flip the same from such lockingposition to release an electrode. By reason of the same mechanical --advantage such slight effort will cause-the jaws toexerta-vise like grip upon an electrode disposed between such The degree of pressure exerted upon an electrode may be varied somewhat-if desired, by adjustment of the screw 34 thoughsu ch adjustment is preferably relied on in adapting the holder to electrodes of different sizes and '-to compensatefor wear on the jaws.

From the above description of my invention,

it will become apparent that it-fulfllls-all-the objects previously recited, and while I have disclosed such invention in considerable detail, the

same is subject-to alteration and modification, without departing from the principlesinvolved and I accordingly do not desire to be limited'in my protection tothe specific detailsof my disclosure, except as may be necessitatedlby the appended claims.

I claim:

1.'An electrode holder comprising a :working arm terminating at one end in an electrode-engageable jaw, a flexible resilient workingarm disposed with one end thereoffacing said electrode-engageable jaw and constituting an opposing jaw for said holder, means for fulcruming said flexible resilient workingarm at an intermediate point thereof to said"flrstworking' arm. to permit'rocking of said flexible' resilient working'arm thereon, and means for flexingsaid flexible resilient working arm against an-electrode disposed between said jaws, said flexing means includinga lever'p'ivoted at a pointspaced from said flexible resilient working-armandextending toward-and beyond thesama an'dmeans on said lever intermediate its pivot axis andsaid flexible resilient working arm adapted to engage said flexible resilient working :arm' m the course ot "rocking of said flexible resilient working arm thereon, and means for flexing said flexible resilient Working arm against an electrode disposed betwe'en said jaws, said flexing means including .a lever pivoted at a point spaced from said flexible resilient working arm and extending toward andbeyond the same, and means on said lever intermediate its pivot axis and said flexible resilient working arm adapted to engage saidflexible resilient working arm i in the courseofmovement of said lever about its pivot-axis, said flexible resilient armbeing sufilciently-flexible to-permit movement'of saidengagingmeans to'a position beyond dead center, and means blocking further movement of said lever in'thesame direction about its pivot axis when said engaging means reaches saidrposition.

3. An electrode holder comprising a substantially inflexible working arm terminating at one end in an electrode-engageable ja-w, a flexible resilient working arm disposed with-one end thereof facingsaidelectrode-engageable jaw-and constituting an opposing jaw for said 'holder, means for fulcruming saidflexible-resilientz working arm at an intermediate point'thereof tosaid inflexibleworking arm to ipermit rocking of said 40 flexible resilientworking arm thereon,1and'rn,eans

for flexing 'said flexible resilient working warm against an electrodedisposed betweensaid jaws,

said "flexing means including a leveripivoted at one point togsaid inflexibleworking arm and'extending toward and beyond said flexi-ble resilient working arm, and means 1 on said ,lever .intermediate its pivot "axis-and saidflexibleresilient -working arm adapted to .engage said flexible re- "silient =workingarminzthe course of movement of-said lever about itspivot axis, said'sflexibleiresilient arm -.being sufficiently "'flexi'bleto permit movement of said engaging means to a position beyond: dead center,.iand.imeans: blocking. further movement Of said lever Sin the same direction about its :pivot axis when said I engaging means reaches said position.

4. An electrode holder comprising :a substantially inflexible workingsarm terminatingaat one end in" an electrode-engageable jaw, a flexible "resilient :working -:arm .disposed with one I end thereof facing said electrode-engageable'jaw and constituting an opposing jaw for said holder,

means for fulcruming said flexible resilient w0rking arm'at an intermeciiate point thereof to said inflexible working varm, said fulcruming means including a crown on said -inflexible resilient .working .arm upon whichsaid flexible resilient working arm may irock, and .a. screw "passing through said flexible resilient working arm and threadedly engaging said crown to permit adjust- .ment of-rthe permissible spread oLsaid jawsifor the reception therebetween of electrodes. .of different thicknesses, and means for flexing ;said

flexible resilient I Working arm against an electrode disposed between saidjaws.

5. An electrode holder comprising a substantially inflexible working arm terminating at one end in an electrode-engageable jaw, a flexible resilient working arm disposed with one end thereof facing said electrode-engageable jaw and constituting an opposing jaw for said holder, means for fulcruming said flexible resilient working arm at an intermediate point thereof to said inflexible working arm, said fulcruming means including a crown on said inflexible working arm upon which said flexible resilient working arm may rock, and a screw passing through said flexible resilient working arm and threadedly engagin: said crown to permit adjustment of the permissible spread of said jaws for the reception therebetween of electrodes of different thicknesses, and means for flexing said flexible resilient working arm against an electrode disposed between said jaws, said flexing means including a lever pivoted at one point to said inflexible workin: arm and extending toward and beyond said flexible resilient working arm, and means on said lever intermediate its pivot axis and said flexible resilient working arm adapted to engage said flexible resilient working arm in the course of movement of said lever about its pivot axis, said 6 flexible resilient arm being sufliciently flexible to permit movement of said engaging means to a position beyond dead center, and means blocking further movement of said lever in the same direction about its pivot axis when said engaging means reaches said position.

ARCHIE W. McCLARY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

